Coastal areas in festive mood

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the city was glued to television, the coastal areas were in true celebration mood on Christmas day. Every year, the coastal areas gear up for the celebrations by Christmas eve and would continue their festivities till New Year. The coastal areas, from Pozhiyoor to Anchuthengu, are in an upbeat mood this season too. In perfect contrast to the celebrations in the city, the people in the coastal areas enjoy Christmas with variety entertainments, the highlight of which is a bath in the sea. This time too, men, women and children, irrespective of age, took bath in the sea on Christmas morning. Competitions like snake boat race and swimming in the sea were held in some areas.  According to Fr Melkon, hailing from Pozhiyoor, the celebrations begin after carol and midnight mass. “No one will sleep after that. The night will be active with dance and songs. Women will prepare for Sunday’s feast. By 8.30 am, all would throng the beach for a bath,” he said. ‘’Christmas is the time of get-together. People from various places return to their native place during this time,” he added. Joji Vincent, secretary of the arts club which organised the event under the aegis of the church in Puthenthopu, said gathering near the sea was the most memorable event.Swimming competition too was held. Boats would take men to as much as 500 metres from the shore. From there, they swim back to shore. In places like Thumba, snake boat race was held in the sea, he said. “Various competitions like tug-of-war, sack race, quiz etc are held. People, irrespective of the age and gender, participate in the events,” he said.Joji said Christmas has been a joyous event for the people in coastal areas ever since he could remember.